PRAYER?
Does God Keally Answer
b y O sw a ld J. S m it h
O ver and over again we read such passages as these: “ If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it . . . . whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do . . . . Ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” Hence, there are no limitations. The great prayer promises of God embrace the whole man — body, soul and spirit. They are to be taken at their face value. God means what He says. He has put Himself on record. “ Ask and ye shall receive.” God is on the giv ing end. He longs to bestow His blessings. He delights to answer prayer. God answers prayer — then trust Him more and more, ’Tis faith alone that opens heaven’s door; He bids thee ask; then will He not bestow? His Word is sure—He promised long ago. God answers prayer— then why dost thou complain? Be not afraid, thou const not ask in vain; He only waits thy faith in Him to prove For He hath pow’r ev’n mountains to remove. God answers prayer — it is His sovereign way To freely give Him blessings day by day; One earnest plea, and lo! from heaven’s throne The answer comes, for God has heard His own. Read the annals of George Muel ler of Bristol, Eng. Watch him as he bows before his Father to make known the needs of his orphanage. He cries for bread, he pleads for the necessities of life that the chil dren might not suffer. Does God
answers which follow. She believes the promises of God and her pray ers are heard. Ah, beloved, did God ever fail? Where is the evidence of His re fusal? When did He turn a deaf ear to the cry of His children? How gladly does He answer, how willingly does He respond! Thank God, prayer still prevails. Marvel ous, limitless, is its power. Prayer, the Christian’s mightiest weapon, moves the hand that rules the world. Let us make use of it. Let us avail ourselves of this all-power ful agency, for God delights to an swer prayer. It is the joy of His great heart of love to meet His children’s needs. He is full of com passion. There are some who tell us that Jesus only worked miracles in or der to prove His deity. That is not true, for there is also another mo tive, and it is strange how fre quently we overlook the reason of all reasons that compelled Him to relieve distress and suffering. It was His compassion, His love. Again and again the record de clares that, “He was moved with compassion,” and because of His great love He delighted to show mercy by relieving the oppressed and afflicted. Oh, what a God we have! How eager He is to show His compas sion, to manifest His love! Rather would I believe in His love than His power. I know He has the abil ity; He is able; but if He is un- CONTINUED
fail him? Not once. In the most miraculous ways his needs were all supplied as he daily relied on this verse, “ I am the L ord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it” (Ps. 81:10). God heard and answered prayer. Go, if you will, to the narratives of Dorothea Trudell. See her as she takes case after case to God in prayer. Hear her plead the prom ises. Then hote the records of the
• • Pray for Aucas
As you know one of the main news stories of the winter has been the deaths of the five missionaries killed by Stone Age Auca Indians in Ecua dor. (For photo story see pages 13-18.) This tragedy has resulted in world-wide recognition of the spir itual need of these Indians. Most of us never heard of the Aucas before this incident. W e are asking each of you readers to pray daily for the conversion of these people. On Mon day, April 2 we as a staff will be holding a special prayer session for the Aucas at 8 a.m. Pacific time. Won’t you write today telling us you will join with us at this hour to offer up one mighty wave of prayer to the Throne of Grace? Address The Editors, The King’s Business, 338 So. Hope St., Los An geles 11, Calif. Thank you. • •
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